Backyard Burning is Highly Toxic

Most Americans are unaware that backyard burning is now the number one contributor of dioxins besides polluting other toxic chemicals into our air, land and water. U.S. EPA data indicate that by 2004, backyard burning will become the single largest contributor of dioxin emissions in the U.S. Also, backyard burning exceeds all other quantifiable dioxin emission sources combined. Backyard burning of household waste emits 1,000 to 10,000 times more dioxins than from modern, well controlled municipal solid waste incinerators.

Beside dioxins, smoke from open burning also contains a variety of other pollutants including particulate matter, sulfur dioxides, lead, mercury, and benzene compounds. Breathing these pollutants can damage the lungs, nervous system, kidneys, and liver. Dioxin compounds, such as furans and polychlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs), are created whenever materials containing carbon and chlorine are burned. These compounds are extremely toxic even in small amounts. Recent studies undertaken by U.S. EPA reveal that dioxin may be a more potent human carcinogen than originally thought.

The World Health Organization cites that, long-term exposure has been linked to adverse effects on the immune system, the developing nervous system, the endocrine system and reproductive functions”. While dioxin exposure can occur through direct inhalation, the larger risk to humans is more indirect. Dioxins contaminate the environment when airborne particulates settle on soil and water and are then absorbed by crops, or consumed by fish, cattle, and humans. In fact, according to the U.S. Interagency Working Group on Dioxin, 95 percent of dioxin exposure occurs through our diet – accumulated from consumption of meat, eggs, milk, and cheese.

We must educate rural residents not to burn their trash because of convenience, cost and traditional reasons. Preventing backyard burning in rural communities will be difficult unless education and enforcement measures are developed. Changing people’s behavior not to burn their waste requires tremendous ingenuity and a community effort. Only will a major awareness program will stop backyard burning from impacting our health.

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